EPA needs to protect Indiana waterways

I spent many of my childhood summers swimming in Indiana's waterways, so it was upsetting to read in a recent report from the Natural Resources Defense Council that the state had more than 300 beach closings and advisories due to pollution during 2012.

Indiana beaches were ranked 25th in overall quality among 30 states surveyed, and 99 percent of the closings were due to elevated levels of bacteria in the water, which can cause illness. The major cause of the bacteria in waterways is storm water runoff, which pollutes waterways and also causes sewer systems to overflow into rivers and streams. The EPA was supposed to issue a standard to control storm water runoff last month, but the agency missed the deadline.

Our 34 Great Lakes beaches are a small but precious part of Indiana, and they need to be protected. I only wish that the EPA would act so future Hoosiers won't be deprived of the experiences I have on Indiana beaches and waterways.

Peyton Allen

Fishers

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EPA needs to protect Indiana waterways

I spent many of my childhood summers swimming in Indiana's waterways, so it was upsetting to read in a recent report from the Natural Resources Defense Council that the state had more than 300 beach